The reason for Larsson starting partly had to do with the Heat suspending Butler for the second time, this one lasting two games as instead of Haywood Highsmith or Nikola Jovic, Spoelstra gave the nod to the 23-year-old. The long-time head coach will continue to see where Larsson can impact the team.

Miami Heat star Bam Adebayo revealed that a rookie will make his presence felt during games with his physical style of play, saying, “You’re going to know who he is.” The Miami Heat are coming off a string of tough losses,

After a productive run with the Heat, rookie Kel'el Ware is beginning to showcase why the organization selected him with the 15th pick in the draft.

That’s because Heat coach Erik Spoelstra played three-time NBA All-Star center Bam Adebayo and rookie center Kel’el Ware together for an extended stretch for the first time during Sunday’s 128-107 home win over the San Antonio Spurs ... and the double-big combination looked better than anybody could have imagined.

Kel'el Ware has gotten much more playing time for the Miami Heat, and his excellent play has led to his first berth in the Kia Rookie Ladder.

MIAMI—Though the Miami Heat lost to the Portland Trail Blazers devastatingly on Tuesday night, 116-107, the one bright spot came from rookie Kel’el Ware. The long-awaited duo of the Heat’s first-round pick and Bam Adebayo is coming off a game in which they excelled against the Spurs.